Jakarta to Host Southeast Asia's First Harmony in Diversity Award in 2026

Jakarta has become the first city to host the “Harmony in Diversity Award 2026”, a Southeast Asian diversity award event taking place on 14 and 15 July 2026.

The prestigious regional award event serves as a platform to strengthen a Southeast Asian community grounded in solidarity, trust and mutual care.

“We view this event as a collective commitment to strengthening peace, friendship and unity among citizens across Southeast Asia amid an increasingly complex world,” said Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung at a “Welcoming Dinner” at the Balai Agung, Jakarta City Hall, on Tuesday evening (14/7), as quoted by Antara.

Pramono affirmed that Jakarta consistently upholds the values of tolerance, reflecting its status as a home to diversity.

He explained that this commitment is evident in the provincial government’s policies to facilitate spaces of celebration for all groups in society.

“From the Colossal Christmas Carol, Chinese New Year celebrations, the Ogoh-ogoh parade, the Colossal Jakarta Bedug, through to Waisak — all of them have a place in this city. Diversity is Jakarta’s greatest source of strength,” said Pramono.

The remarks were delivered as part of an award ceremony honouring inspiring figures who have contributed to strengthening unity among citizens and building harmony amid cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity.

That year, the award was presented to Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo for his role in mediating the conflict in Mindanao, including through the “Bishops-Ulama Conference”.

Cardinal Quevedo’s work demonstrates that interfaith and community dialogue can pave the way towards sustainable peace.

The dinner also brought together influential figures from across Southeast Asia.

Among those in attendance were former Singaporean President Halimah Yacob, Founder and Chair of the 5P Global Movement Arsjad Rasjid, and two former Indonesian Foreign Ministers, Retno Marsudi and Marty Natalegawa.